First, the good from Thursday's 38-31 victory over Louisville's Cardinals.

For the seventh game, defense, take a bow. Anyone who has followed this 8-1 overall, 3-1 Big East team knows the gains that coordinator Jeff Casteel's group has made this season. Since a 31-14 victory at Maryland, Sept. 13, it has been the most consistent side of the ball for the BCS 7th-ranked Mountaineers.